Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
David,
I live a few minutes drive from the Losmandy shop. Scott was a member of my club the LAAS (Los Angeles Astronomical Society) back in the day when I first joined back in the '70's. Having been around the shop a bit, nosy and mechanically curious I've seen various versions of the new hybrid mounts which were in flux for a long time. When I first saw the hybrid that would become the GM811GT the RAEXK was not a part of the basic specs. But IMO this is a high spec level and I'm happy Scott has added so much value to these mounts while keeping the price approachable compared to his real competition in the upper end of the market.?
I resisted the urge to buy the RAEXK for a long time but I will be the first to admit that I was an idiot for doing so. The RAEXK even before the tucked motor update added significant usable movement to the RA and DEC axes. With the G11G spec tucked motors the G11G mount's EQ movement limitations are really only limited by the imaging train length or the focuser length from the rear of the saddle and the tripod legs, not the motor or mount itself any longer.?
Chip
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Re: How much disassembly for cleaning
Hi David,
I don't advise using alcohol or water based solvents, they are fairly ineffective on petrol/oil based grease, use an oil based solvent to wash out as much of the old sticky lubricants as possible and shop air and be sure to let it dry fully before applying fresh grease and reassembly. The one place alcohol is very effective is on the flats that compress the plastic clutch discs.?
The best method is disassembly and a solvent soak of the flat thrust bearings but you should not disassemble to the point of removing the caged needle bearings that support the RA and DEC axles in the mount body. These can be cleaned up using light penetrating spray lubes like WD-40 or Silicone spray. These lightweight lubricants are not actually good lubricants for anything that has any sort of load and they are also poor for corrosion protection but they are GREAT solvents for hard to reach spots where you can use them to flood, float and carry out the old grease and dirt! The only mount parts that you should use a water based cleaner on are the plastic clutch discs, they need to be totally degreased and dry before reassembly.?
I don't know where in the world you are located but being in southern California our mounts can see high temps over 135F (in the trunk) and cold temps down to 0F or lower.(I give up when it hits the 20s, I'm a soCal native after all). This requires a quality lubricant that will not melt, separate or stiffen up under these extremes while providing clean lubrication. The best grease on the planet for fine mechanisms that must still operate unhindered in all temps like a scope mount is the pure synthetic based grease sold as SuperLube, you want the food grade Teflon based version, not the silicone version. Unlike lithium based grease or even marine grade Mobil-1, SuperLube is a fully pure synthetic grease including the base so doesn't separate and gum up and it retains it's light viscosity even when everything else is frozen solid. Use it lightly, a little goes a LONG way.
Have a look at the link Derek posted, it has pretty good information for the G11 mounts.?
Chip
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Re: How much disassembly for cleaning
Thanks for posting that! I hadn¡¯t seen that web site before; it¡¯s about the best description of the cleaning and re-greasing process that I¡¯ve seen. -Les On 15 Nov 2017, at 9:08, 'Derek C Breit' breit_ideas@... [Losmandy_users] <Losmandy_users@...> wrote:
Others will / might have other / better answers, but my suggestion is to check out this link..
<>
Derek
From: Losmandy_users@... <mailto:Losmandy_users@...> [mailto:Losmandy_users@... <mailto:Losmandy_users@...>]
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2017 8:38 AM
To: Losmandy_users@... <mailto:Losmandy_users@...>
Subject: [Losmandy_users] How much disassembly for cleaning
I have been posting questions concerning the 1990's era G11 I recently acquired...Thanks for the replies!
I have pulled the shafts and the surfaces are mostly clean with just a light coat of sticky grease.
I plan to clean with alcohol and re-grease with MD-50.
My question is, how far should I disassemble for cleaning?
I am tempted to go all out and really take it apart, but is this advisable?
David
<>
Virus-free. www.avg.com <>
<x-msg://130/#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Re: How much disassembly for cleaning
At 18:08 15-11-17, 'Derek C Breit' breit_ideas@... [Losmandy_users] wrote: Others will / might have other / better answers, but my suggestion is to check out this link..
<> This looks excellent: thanks for linking to it. David
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Re: How much disassembly for cleaning
Others will / might have other / better
answers, but my suggestion is to check out this link..
?
?
Derek
?
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From: Losmandy_users@...
[mailto:Losmandy_users@...]
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2017
8:38 AM
To: Losmandy_users@...
Subject: [Losmandy_users] How much
disassembly for cleaning
?
?
I have
been posting questions concerning the 1990's era G11 I recently
acquired...Thanks for the replies!
I have
pulled the shafts and the surfaces are mostly clean with just a light coat of
sticky grease.
I plan to
clean with alcohol and re-grease with MD-50.
My
question is, how far should I disassemble for cleaning?
I am
tempted to go all out and really take it apart, but is this advisable?
David
|
How much disassembly for cleaning
I have been posting questions concerning the 1990's era G11 I recently acquired...Thanks for the replies! I have pulled the shafts and the surfaces are mostly clean with just a light coat of sticky grease. I plan to clean with alcohol and re-grease with MD-50. My question is, how far should I disassemble for cleaning? I am tempted to go all out and really take it apart, but is this advisable? David
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
I see some great suggestions and some I see as pointless - ultimately, these choices are personal as everyone has their own specific needs and priorities which will become evident with experience. I use a voice recorder in the field to note things to get, change or modify for the next time I am out. Works great for me but probably not everyone
-Jeff
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
At 03:41 15-11-17, chiplouie@... [Losmandy_users] wrote: The Losmandy custom cases only work if you have the RA extension kit installed, you did get the RAEXK right? Ahem! As I am sure you know, the RAEX is what makes the G811 design possible. :) It is such a brilliant invention that one wonders after the fact why it took so long to come up with the G811. David
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Re: Dec vernier old Celestron G11
You should see a slot milled into the worm wheel cover. Appears to be clear Lucite 0.100" thick and
extends 1/2" above worm wheel cover and 0.700" long. It has a thin vertical scribe line on both sides.
Don
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----- Original Message ----- From: "puzzlewuzzle.dr@... [Losmandy_users]" <Losmandy_users@...> To: <Losmandy_users@...> Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2017 8:15 PM Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: Dec vernier old Celestron G11 Thanks for the photo, Don. That clear plastic piece is missing on my mount.
Hmmm, wonder where to find one?
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
Hi Brian,?
The Losmandy cases are new, they are using the lightweight plastic stuff? that some of the case makers use for portable studio lighting systems. It is not going to stand up to airline use but for the back of your car it's perfect. The cases are very light on their own, Losmandy uses a mating clamp and simulated base to attach the mount haves in the cases so no foam is used or needed further reducing weight. These are not sturdy enough for shipping but will be handy for local use. I've seen them and played with them but don;t own a set yet. I am sticking with my Pelican case habit even though they are heavy, they roll and I can check them as luggage or use them to ship my lights and gear. I use my assortment of Pelican cases for both astronomy and photography but when I can I will buy a set to share between the G11G and GM8 once It gets a RA extension kit.?
I was talking about the PowerTank Lithium it has more than enough juice to power a G11G all night. Obviously for imaging or use with a dew heater or two it's not likely going to last all night. I've assembled a medium capacity 18AH portable power pack using a deep cycle AGM battery inside of a small heavy duty tool box for use where there is no power. My DIY 12v power pack has weather protected outlets, voltage display, a pair of 2A USB charge ports and an AGM battery 3.8A charger inside the tool box. It cost less @ $100 and has more than double the battery capacity of a PowerTank Lithium but of course it weights nearly 20 lbs.?
Chip ? ?
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
I have the RAEXT ¨C it¡¯s the FIRST
thing you need ¨C and I would be quite interested in a Losmandy G11 case..
?
Derek
?
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From: Losmandy_users@... [mailto:Losmandy_users@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2017
6:46 PM
To: Losmandy_users@...
Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: Just
purchased GM811GHD
?
?
+1 on
polemaster - it's a life saver
I've never used the losmandy cases, I didn't even know they had them
The power tank, that may be a personal choice thing. I find it to be
incredibly underpowered for a solid night's imaging, and it's ridiculously
expensive for what you get. The better alternative is to DIY your own, but that
has its own challenges and costs.
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
+1 on polemaster - it's a life saver
I've never used the losmandy cases, I didn't even know they had them
The power tank, that may be a personal choice thing. I find it to be incredibly underpowered for a solid night's imaging, and it's ridiculously expensive for what you get. The better alternative is to DIY your own, but that has its own challenges and costs.
Brian
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
Hi Taylor,
The first thing you will need is a hard case for the mount head and a 7 lbs. counter weight. The Losmandy custom cases only work if you have the RA extension kit installed, you did get the RAEXK right? The MCS are a great accessory, minimizing single item weight and make packing and transport a lot easier. You will need the lighter counterweight because your scope is very light and the 11 lbs. counterweight will be too heavy to balance your AT65mm quad. Don't give up the 11 lbs. counter weight, it's cheaper to buy the 7 lbs. in addition to the 11 lbs. CW, don;t worry, you'll need it soon enough when you buy a C8 or maybe a 100mm class APO.?
As an imager on an HD mount with the small AT65mm quad you have no need to raise the tripod at all. Just leave it low and you will have a very stiff tripod, just be sure to lock the legs once you unfold the tripod legs. The only reason to use an extension is to gain clearance from the tripod legs for slow refractor with long tubes or long imaging trains. A tripod is always more stable with the legs extended when compared to tripod with a pier extension added at the same height. This is especially true for the Losmandy HD tripods which have nearly monolithic stability.?
For astro imagers I highly recommend the QHY PoleMaster which will save you a LOT of time while also giving you nearly perfect polar alignments very quickly every time and save you even more time and frustration in wasted exposures. When Imaging I will setup the mount and polar align using the PoleMaster and then will recheck it later in the session or if the auto guiding is telling me something is amiss. Other key accessories are the Losmandy CKS clutch knobs and the polar scope. When you observe visually the Losmandy illuminated polar scope is more than adequate and eliminates the need for a computer in the field.?
If you are going to be using the mount in the field as opposed to a permanent or semi-permanent location the ATS and TKS knobs are super deluxe. I use them on my GM8 which is often used in the field and on a Wheelie bar in the driveway. For heavier OTAs on the G11G I prefer to use a hex wrench which adds stability for heavy payloads.?
Get a good 12 volt portable power pack. The best I have seen in terms of capacity/weight cost is the Celestron Power Tank. You can make your own but it will not have the capacity or the low weight of the Celestron Power Tank battery.?
Chip ?
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Hello, Dave
?
I am slowly working on it. Obviously
since so many love their mounts, it has to be me and I continue to have little ¡°AH
HA¡± moments and pick up a little tidbit of info every time out.. I do
have local help. I just haven¡¯t utilized yet.. Rest assured that I will
if it doesn¡¯t all ¡®come together¡¯ in the next few attempts..
?
I am pretty much shut down for the rainy
season, though I will setup if work and weather cooperate.. If I am still
frustrated in April, then we will have trouble..
?
:-))
?
Derek
Morgan Hill, CA
?
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From: Losmandy_users@... [mailto:Losmandy_users@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2017
2:02 PM
To: Losmandy_users@...
Subject: RE: [Losmandy_users]
Pointing issues
?
?
Derek,
When as frustrated as you seem to be, post your location.? Perhaps
someone nearby can stop by and give you a hand.? Many folks are pleased
with their G11 and G2.? No reason to suffer alone.? Get local help.
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
If you have the light weight tripod look into the 12 inch pier for the tripod.? With the pier you don't have to extend the legs all the way which makes the tripod much more stable.
On Nov 14, 2017 3:44 PM, "David Pickett yahoo@... [Losmandy_users]" < Losmandy_users@...> wrote:
?
At 22:50 14-11-17, taylorwab@... [Losmandy_users] wrote:
>New here so not sure if this has been answered, I tried looking
>around but couldn't find anything. But my question is what else
>would be good to buy with my mount? I got the vibration dampening
>feet for the tripod but not sure what else is a 'need to have' or a
>common 'nice to have'. I'm going to be imaging with a Sony a7s and
>using a AT65EDQ for my first scope.
Hi Taylor!
Congratulations on an excellent choice. If you are really desperate
to spend more money... I would recommend the replacement of the
Allen-keyed screws by knobs, and the clutch knobs. These make the
adjustments easier, particularly in the winter.
David
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Re: Dec vernier old Celestron G11
Thanks for the photo, Don. That clear plastic piece is missing on my mount. Hmmm, wonder where to find one?
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Re: Just purchased GM811GHD
At 22:50 14-11-17, taylorwab@... [Losmandy_users] wrote: New here so not sure if this has been answered, I tried looking around but couldn't find anything. But my question is what else would be good to buy with my mount? I got the vibration dampening feet for the tripod but not sure what else is a 'need to have' or a common 'nice to have'. I'm going to be imaging with a Sony a7s and using a AT65EDQ for my first scope. Hi Taylor! Congratulations on an excellent choice. If you are really desperate to spend more money... I would recommend the replacement of the Allen-keyed screws by knobs, and the clutch knobs. These make the adjustments easier, particularly in the winter. David
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Re: G1 on G-11 refuses to go to bright stars
Hi Magnus, Sounds like faulty Eprom code was the cause.? A bad bit at the wrong address...? ?It definitely happens to some of these Eproms, though they were supposed to hold data at least 10 years.? ?
You could some day send your old eprom to David, and he can do a data comparison to the known correct code.? ?That would confirm the bad chip as the cause.??
Glad your puzzle is solved.? That was a weird one!
Michael
?
Woohoo!
Dave
From: Losmandy_users@... [mailto:Losmandy_users@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: 14 November 2017 20:47
To: Losmandy_users@...
Subject: [Losmandy_users] Re: G1 on G-11 refuses to go to bright stars
Hi all!
Thanks for your so helpful support on this! Finally, I do believe I have some good news. However, I wish to keep testing and see if it stays good.
I got a new EPROM from David, installed it today, which included a Cmos Reset. And after that I could Go To Bright star without a problem! All stars I tried worked nicely. And I could align the scope. And slew to M33, and all.
So this far it looks very very good. Probably it was the Eprom then, right?
Magnus
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Derek, When as frustrated as you seem to be, post your location.? Perhaps someone nearby can stop by and give you a hand.? Many folks are pleased with their G11 and G2.? No reason to suffer alone.? Get local help. Dave...
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Hey everyone!
New here so not sure if this has been answered, I tried looking around but couldn't find anything. But my question is what else would be good to buy with my mount? I got the vibration dampening feet for the tripod but not sure what else is a 'need to have' or a common 'nice to have'. I'm going to be imaging with a Sony a7s and using a AT65EDQ for my first scope.?? ? Thanks! Taylor
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photon_trap
Michael Herman
David Cochrun